Standing in ERISA Fiduciary Litigation for Plan Administrators

Description

Fiduciary responsibilities of sponsors and administrators for benefit plans require a duty of prudence under ERISA. Failure to follow best practices for defined benefit plans can result in litigation and millions in legal fees and settlements.

Most cases where retirement plan participants have sued plan sponsors for mismanaging their retirement plan under Section 502(a)(2) of ERISA have involved 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. These claims generally assert that employers acting as plan administrators engage in self-dealing and/or other practices that violate ERISA's fiduciary standards. Claims include imprudently selecting investment options and administrative services or funds that earn high fees for the plan sponsor while performing worse than other competitors.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the plan sponsor in Thole v. U.S. Bank NA, which substantially raised the bar for plaintiffs asserting claims under ERISA against defined benefit plans, and could have ramifications for standing in the 401(k) and defined contribution plan context as well. In a split decision, the Supreme Court held that participants in a defined benefits plan who continue to receive their monthly benefits have no standing to sue their plan under ERISA. The court opened the door for participant claims where plan mismanagement substantially increases the risk of the defined benefit plan failing.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, ERISA counsel and fiduciaries should ensure that plan documents, investment selection, fee arrangements, and administrative processes minimize breach of fiduciary duty claims for defined benefit plans.

Listen as our panel provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and its implications to plan participants, fiduciaries, and administrators. The panel will also discuss the necessary methods of selecting plan investments and monitoring fee structures, as well as offer best practices for defending and avoiding breach of fiduciary duty claims.